Taiwan: President Hopes Japan Will Accept Taiwan's Licenses

President Chen expressed hope that the Japanese government would recognize international driver's licenses issued by Taiwan. Chen noted that many countries in Asia have recognized international driver's licenses issued by Taiwan's government

President Chen Shui-bian yesterday expressed hope that the Japanese government
would recognize international driver's licenses issued by Taiwan.

Chen made the remarks yesterday while receiving Okada Katsuya, a former
member of Japan's House of Representatives, at the Presidential Office.

Japan has not recognized Taiwan's international driver's licenses because
Taiwan is not a member of the 1949 Convention on Road Traffic. It, however,
recognizes drivers' licenses from France, Germany and Switzerland, which are
also not members of the convention.

It is understood that the Japanese Foreign Ministry supports the proposal,
but that Japan's National Police Agency is still evaluating the needs of Taiwanese
tourists.

In other matters, Chen told his guest that any cross-strait disputes must
be settled via peaceful means rather than military or any non-peaceful methods.

"We are committed to defending peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait,"
Chen said. "Taiwan and Japan are definitely the best allies in safeguarding
democratic values and protecting the economies and safety of the region. It
is the common interests of the US, Japan and Taiwan to protect peace and stability
in the Taiwan Strait."

Describing Taiwan-Japan relations as "satisfactory," Chen extended
his appreciation to the Japanese government's endorsement of Taiwan's bid
to join the World Health Assembly as an observer in May 2004. The US and Japan
last February also declared security in the Taiwan Strait to be a common strategic
objective.

Chen said that he hopes bilateral economic ties and tourism will continue
to grow.

Chen also lauded Katsuya for believing in the idea of "transfer of
power," a political ideal that Chen said coincides with his own.

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